Main pointsUS and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire in the three-month-old war by 60 days and launch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to a US sourceUS vice-president JD Vance confirmed there was a tentative agreement, but said it was unclear if Donald Trump would approve it.Binyamin Netanyahu said he has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza StripKuwait intercepted missiles fired from Iran, according to US Central CommandKey reads
Katie Mellett – 29 minutes ago
What conditions are in the draft US-Iran peace agreement?
President Donald Trump has circulated a draft peace agreement for the war with Iran among allies including Israel.
The draft is not vastly different from the one that has been circulating across the Middle East for days, under which the strait of Hormuz would be opened to commercial shipping, the US blockade of Iranian ports would be lifted and Iran would be given access to as much as $12bn (€10.3bn) in frozen assets.
The aim would be for commercial shipping in the strait to return to pre-war levels within 30 days and for negotiations envisaged to last as long as 60 days to commence on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
This would include discussions about its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a time-limited suspension of further enrichment and supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog.
Iran would renounce the use of nuclear weapons.
The current scope of the agreement would be deeply unpalatable for Israel, because it defers Iran making any firm nuclear commitments and requires a permanent ceasefire to include Lebanon.
The draft is less specific than Tehran’s version about lifting sanctions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports. It also asserts toll-free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran is trying to negotiate an agreement with Oman separate to any memorandum of understanding that would result in fees imposed for “navigational services”. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
At least 17 people killed in Lebanon on Thursday
Rescue workers and residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli air strike in the Choueifat area, south of Beirut on the outskirts of the capital’s southern suburbs, on May 28th, 2026. Photograph: Ibrahim AMRO AFP via Getty Images
On Thursday in Lebanon, at least 17 people were reported killed and many others wounded across the country’s south,
Iran has insisted that any deal must include an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militant group Hizbullah.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli attacks landed near Unesco-protected historic sites and landmarks in the country’s south, such as the ancient city of Tyre and Beaufort castle in the Nabatieh district.
Culture minister Ghassan Salame “made numerous contacts with his counterparts worldwide and relevant international organisations to draw their attention to the huge damage to archaeological sites and heritage districts” in south Lebanon, the state-run National news agency said. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Netanyahu orders seizure of 70 per cent of Gaza Strip
Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Photograph: Ilia Yefimovich/AP
Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said he has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip.
“We are currently squeezing Hamas,” Netanyahu said at a conference in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, in reference to the militant group that still controls the rest of Gaza.
“We’re in possession of 60 per cent of the Gaza Strip’s territory. My directive is to move to 70 per cent,” the prime minister said, without giving a time frame. – Bloomberg
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
France seeks inquiry into treatment of its nationals in Gaza flotilla
France has asked for the public prosecutor to investigate the treatment of French nationals who were part of a recent activist flotilla heading for Gaza, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.
A number of Irish activists were onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla and were detained by Israeli forces, including President Catherine Connolly’s sister Dr Margaret Connolly.
“Based on a report I requested from our consul general in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offences (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor,” Barrot told France Inter radio.
Organisers of a flotilla that was detained last week during an attempt to bring aid to Gaza said activists were subjected to abuse, with several hospitalised with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults including rape. The activists have since been released. – Reuters
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
‘Nothing can justify’ Israel’s attack on Lebanon
Members of Hizbullah inspect an apartment damaged in an Israeli air strike in Choueifat, south of Beirut, Lebanon, on May 28th, 2026. Photograph: EPA
Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, said “nothing can justify” Israel’s ongoing assault on the south of his country and reissued his calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Salam said Israel’s continued bombardment amounts to collective punishment condemned by all international norms and laws. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
Israel included in UN report on sexual violence in wars
The latest report from the UN documenting sexual violence in wars around the world said in 2025 the UN was able to document “patterns of sexual violence” against Palestinians detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The report verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence.
Israel said it is breaking all contact with UN chief António Guterres because of its inclusion in the report. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
Oil set for worst month since 2020
Oil edged lower after the US and Iran tentatively agreed to extend a ceasefire by 60 days, potentially allowing shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to resume.
Brent fell toward $93 (€79.85) a barrel, down by 18 per cent this month, while West Texas Intermediate was near $88 (€75.56).
Brent is set for the biggest monthly loss since 2020 after optimism built around expectations that some form of accord would be reached, although the warring parties have often hailed progress before, only for the stalemate to drag on. – Bloomberg
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
US, Iran reach tentative agreement to extend ceasefire
US and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire in the three-month-old war by 60 days and to open talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
Iran did not immediately confirm any deal, and the official noted that US president Donald Trump has yet to sign off on it.
Vice-president JD Vance on Thursday confirmed there was a tentative agreement, but said it was unclear if Trump would approve it.
“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president’s going to sign,” Vance told reporters. – AP